Gauge for piston rings



Dec. 21 ,71926. 1,611,441.,

G. H. HlGGlNS GAUGE FOR PISTON RINGS Filed March 21., 1925 J j'yi. 4.

fi l Patented Dec. 21, 1926.

nut-ra n stares LtillA ii PATENT GFFECE.

H. ILLINPQIS, ASSIGKOR TO BUILD HIGH (JQIYiEfiES- $10M, RING: COMPQNY,OF ROCKFGBD, ILLINOIS, A O1? ILLiEQIS.

GAUGE FOR PISTON RINGS.

Application filed March 21, 1925.

This invention relates to devices for ac curately determining or gaugingthe sizes, that is the diameter and circumference of cylindrical orannular objects such as piston rings.

l'teretotore, no satisfactory means has been provided tor quickly andaccurately gauging annular objects such as piston ring that the ringscould be classified or graded according to the size or gauge thereof.Piston rings are usually split and normally resiliently expanded withthe ends separated, thereby requiring considerable pressure to move theends together and intowabutting relation to contract the ring to normalsize or position in which its gauge can be determined. 'lheretore, thegauging of piston rings presents some ditliculties and the use oi apermanent or fixed gauge necessarily renders the gauging of piston ringsslow, tedious and expensive.

The presentinvention provides a novel, simple and practical means forgauging piston rings and the like to detect inaccuracy and determinewhether they are under size or over size within one or more thousandthsof an inch, so that the rings can be graded and assorted into lotsaccording to the size and uses thereof and to [it standard sizes ofpistons and cylinders.

The invention also provides a gauge for piston rings adapted to beingoperated by foot power orotherwise, and which includes stationary andmovable jaws, the movable jaw swinging into and out of operative orgauging position and actuating a pointer which cooperates withcalibrations on a scale or dial plate, which calibrations or graduationsare designed to indicate variations in size of thousandths ofan inch orother standard scale measurement above and below normal. In p actice themovable jaw is moved out of gauging position by pressure on a foottreadle to separate the jaws tor receiving a and after the ring isinserted, the pressurefis released to permit the jaw to move intooperative position toward the stationary jaw tor compressing the ring tonormal size whereby the gauge of the ring may be determined. Thispressure ap plied by a weight or other pressure-exerting meausi therebyrelieving the operator of the expenditure of energy required incompressing the rings and permitting the rin rsto be caved orsemi-circular recess 9.

Serial No. 17,165.

quickly, accurately and economically gauged, thereby facilitatingquantity production.

Other objects and attendant advantages will be appreciated by thoseskilled in this art as the invention becomes better understood byreference to the following description when considered in connectionwith the accompanying drawings, in whichlfiigure l is a side elevationof the novel gauge with the support or table thereot in section.

Fig. 2 is a plan View of the device; and

Fig. 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view taken on the line ofFig. 2.

Referring to the drawings in detail wherein I have illustrated anembodiment of the invention and in which similar reference charactersdesignate corresponding parts throughout, l designates a horizontalsupport or table for the gauge proper and which is provided with anelongated transverse vertical slot 5 therethrough. Mounted upon thehorizontal support or table is a bedplate,6 preferably of metal andsuitably an chored in position at the front edge of the table. Fixedupon the plate :6 at a plurality of points as shown at 7, is a flatstationary jaw 8, said jaw being provided with a con- Opposing thestationary jaw 8 is a hat pivoted or swinging jaw 10 movable on thepivot 11 and having a corresponding recess 12 opposed to the recess 9and: mating, therewith to form a circulardepression 0r seat foraccommodating a cylindrical object such as a piston ring 13.

Fixed to the movable jaw 10 at its free end and extending longitudinallyoutward therefrom is an arm or extension 1e, which is shown in thepresent instance as secured in a recess 15 in the jaw 10 and providedwith a longitudinal slot 1:6 near its extremity. The arm 14 is limitedin its forward movement by a stop member including a bracket 1.7 securedto the adjacent edge of the plate 6 as indicated at lS in Fig. 1 andhaving a threaded aperture receiving an adjustable set or stop screw 19therethrough adapted to be held in fixed position by a lock nut 20. Thestop screw engages the edge of the arm 14, and thereby limits theclosing movement of the movable jaw 10 toward the stationary jaw 8.

In order to swing the jaw 10 a shaft 2L ill) loo

fill

is horizontally ournaled in hangers or hearings Q2 hung; from the bottomof the table and has a rocker arm 23 fixed thereon extending up throughthe slot 5 and into the opening or slot 16 in the arm let. An arm 2% isalso fixed to the shaft 21 and extends forwardly and downwardly heneaththe tahle. and from its free end, a link or rod is pivotally hung tosuspend a weight 26 or other pressure-exerting means at its tree end.The rod may he guided in its vertical movements as indicated at 27 toprevent the rod and weight from wahhling or swinging to and fro. Arearwardly er;- teudin g' arm 28 is also fixed to the shalt 2t and hasadjustahle connection through a se ries oil openings 29 and a link 30with the 'i ree upper end ot a toot treadlo -51 pivoted at 3:2 inhearing: Ell} supported upon the floor. In this manner, the weight 26will normally swing the arm 1% and jaw to a forward position to coaetwith the statiou arv jaw for gauging: purposes as rhown in l 2' ot thedrawings. The treadle 31 will thus normally be elevated and by applyingpressure to the treadle the shatt 21 will he rocket to swing-1 the arm2?) rearwardly a ainst the action oi the weight to more the jaw it) toan inoperative position away from the stationary jaw 8, that is, toseparate the jaws. .Ihis movement may he adjusted hy changing); theposition of the linlc in the opa-ningz's 29 of the arm 28.

A scale plate or dial 34 of arruate 'lornuu tion is secured upon then'iovahle jaw 10 as indirated at 25 and has graduations or cali hrations36 arcuately arranged and so spaced as to indicate the normal size orgauge of the piston rin to he tested and variations in under size andover size atoither side thereot within one or more thousandths of aninch or other suitable standard scale measurement which may he used orthis purpose.

A pointer or finger 37 cooperates with the calibrations oi? the dial fil and has its forward end bifurcated as indicated at 38, the turcationsheing apertured so that the point er may he secured as indi ated at 39to a plate 40 pivoted intermediately as shown at 4-1 to the stationaryjaw 8. One of the apertures is made in the 'torln ot a slot 42 s() thatthe pointer i'uay he adjusted to give a proper scale indication.

i hracltet or hloi'k 4-3 'irojects up from o arm l t and receives anadjustahle connu screw 44 which may he held in adjusted position hy a,lock nut l5. A contact arm is pivoted at -el-T to the plate 40 outwardlypivot 'll and a stop d8 in the term in projecting upwardly from the jawts the nniwement ot' the hlate it). The 1 The rear or free end 01: thearm 46 contacts with the screw it and is provided with a "if-shapedrecess 50 to insure engagement of the screw therewith and a positivethrust on the arm and pointer when the arm 11- is swiiing forwardlyunder the action 01: the eight 26 to more the jaw 10 to a closed oroperative position with respect to the jaw S to close and gauge the ringas will he more fully set "forth. The pointer is normally held in aninoperative position or to the left in Fig. 2 as hy means ot acontractile tension spring 5i anchored at one end as indicated at 52, tothe stationary jaw 8, and at s other end to the pivoted plate 10, asindicated at 5;), so as to rock the plate lt) on its pivot elh limitedby ei'igagement with the stop 4:8. At the same time, the pointer 37 willhe swung to the let't and the arm 4-6 operatingin the guide all) willmaintain its angular position hy reason oi its pivotal connection at llwith the plate it). It lingerreceiviu y opening 5% is provided in thesupport ladjacent the edge of the recess 9 and at the trout ot thering=receiyinaseat to ac: oinmodate a linger ot the operator toiacilitate removal ot the rings as they are gauged.

In the use and operation of the device for gauging piston rings, theweight 26 normally holds the movable jaw 10 toward the st tionary jaw S.The dial or scale plate 3% hz'zvingr heen calibrated by the insertion ofrings between said jaws alter gauging the rings in the usual fixedgauges, each consisting ot a plate having circular openings therein ofthe proper size or otherwise, the device is ready to he operated. Theoperator is reposed upon a seat positioned in front of the table l withone foot upon the treadle 31. The latter is depressed against the actionof the weight 26 to swing); the arm 23 rearwardly in the slot 5, andwith it the inorahle jaw 10, through the n'iedium oi? the extension orarm 14 with which the arm :23 has operative connection at the slot 16,The slot 16 compensates for the inovei'nent of the arm 14 in an are onthe pivot ll, thus permitting the arm 2 to more in a straight path.lVith this n'loiement of the arm "L3, the screw at, is diseneag ed fromthe arm etG and moves rearwardly thus releasingthe pressure oi? theweight on the arm 4-6, ulatc 4t) and, pointer 37 which normally holdsthe pointer to the right as shown in lfiie. 2, against the action of thespring 51. The spring is then free to exert its tension on the plate 4H)at the rear left hand corner thereof to swing the plate lt) on its pirotti and more the pointer 37 over the dial to the lett or noii-rei'iteriiug po-dtion. Duri T this movement. the arm ,i-il will swing withthe plate to and will more rearu'ardly through the guide ll). The

operator, with a quantity o l the rings withlltl seat or depressionformed by of the ring are brought together and accrding to the extent 0tmoveln ent ot the aw toward the jaw 8, the poiiite'r 87 inoves ot er thedlal and indicates the exact size otthe mlgbeing acted upon: henpressure is ie leased fro n1 the treadle 31- and the weight 26 acts, thearm is swi'tng forwardly as shown in Figs; 1. and 2 thus swinging thejaw ahd aria M foiavardly on the pivot ll; lVith this lnoteihent of thearm let, the screw 441-. carried by the bracket 43 will engage ih the \l-shap ed i'eeess of the arm 46 and exert forward pressuie on the latterto rock the plate 40 on its pivot 4L1 against the action of the spring51, whereby the peinter is rhoved ever the calibrations of the dial 234:and will indicate exactly oi of the ring. If the ring is of the propei"size, the pointei' will register with the zero mark and if over size,the ting will pretent the jaw 10 closing to the saine deg -rte aiid willbe held to the left of the zero marker e ali'bi'ation ah'd indicate inthousandths ot. an inch,' the exact over size measurement, If the ringshould he uhder size, thejaw' 10 will inei 'e further into closthephsit-io'n and the dial will swing beyond the Y eifd mai-k to the rightahd indicate undei' size in the sanf e infinifin This operation isc'o'ntihued, the tings being dropped into the seat between the jaws andremoved attei" being gauged an'd hung upon suitable racks or otherwiseassoited and Classified accei'ding to gauge thereof. The opeiatio'n mayhe quickly carried on with a ihiniinuin expenditure of tilne and labor,and is such as to greatly reduce the cost as compared with the cost inaccordaiie with the old method as previously practiced. Further more,the machine is very siinple and compact so that it can be i'e'adilyapplied to a table or work bench in the niafiner disclosed and lel'idsitself to easy and eoih'enieht o'jieratien. Since the jaws are separatedby depressing the treadle 31 bjl in eans of the foot jn-e'ssure, bothhands are free to handle the rings, thus expeditiiig the work. Thehim'emeiit of the arin 1 1;; and the ja-wlO limited by the screw 19 thaybe adjusted by thrni'ng the screw iii the bracket 17. whim-mm, thecalibrations of the dial 3% aiid the :uiurate reg-isti-atidn of thpointer '37 thei'e'witl'i may} he insured by adjiistmeht ot the' Contactscrew 4% whereby the proper the size Inoveinent will he imparted th thepointer thrd the ai'ni t6 and the plate 4:0; The pin 48 prevents theplate 40 fi'o'in inoving to (nbeyond a dead center position under theaction of the spring 51 when the aim 14 is swung rearwardly to disengagethe contact 44 from the arii'i 4:6, thus preventing the pointer *fl'Ommovingto a position \vh'e're it will he locked oi" require manualsetting; 7

While I have deser-ibed WhatI now 6511- sidei to he the preferredeinbodiinent (it the invention, it. is to be under-stood that the deviceis shsoeptible of wide chan es and variations in the censtrnctieh,arr'ahgen'ieh't and putp'oses of the parts as well as the n'iaterialsused, without departing frofn the spirit and scope of the invention aswill he hereinafter defined in the claii'ns;

I claiin: 1 1. In a gauge for piston i'iiig's, jaws having eoactingrecesses foi'iiiing' a iing reoeiving seat, a manually operated part forsepztrating the jaws, another part capable of eXerting a predeterminedforce for nio'ving the jaws together to cause the ends of the rings tomove thgether, and ineans wept-iative with the jaws and actuated therebjto I indicate the gauge of the ring.

2. In a. gattge fer piston rings, jaws having coaeting recesses thinninga ring-teemingseat, means for separatiiig and closing the jaws, a dialplate carried by one jaw, a pointer ceeperating with the plate, andoperative connections between a; jaw and the pointer to "shift thelatter whereby to ihdi- Gate the gatige of the ring held betweeii thejaws upon the latter being brought together to compress the i'ihg".

3'. A gauge for p'is'ton rings coi'hprishig a statiohary jaw, a movablejaw coacting' thei'ewith, said aws having coach a recesses fo'rniingaisc'at, nieans for separating and clesing the jaws, iheans to liniitthe last namedmovement, and ineans operated by the movable jaw toindicate the gang-e of the ring.

4. A; gauge for piston" rings coinprisihig a stationary jaw, a movablejaw coac'ting therewith having an operating arm; a seat to ret-eiv'e apiston ring,- ineahs connected with said arin foiinorinally closing thejaws, nieaiis alsb connected with said arm for se am-tiag the jaws, aealibrated dialplatm;

and a pointer actuated upon the closing of the jaws to ihdicate on thedial plate the gauge of the ring held between the jaws.

51A for piston ling-s iiicliiding stationary jaw, a movable jawcoact-ing' therewith having an operating ai'in; said j aws having matingrecesses forininga rinbreeeiving seat, means connected with said arm forholding the inovahle jaw normally toward the stationarj jaw, means alsoconnected with said arin for moving the mot"- 'h the inter-connectedparts ineludi'ng fan ing the movable jaw normally toward the stationaryjaw, means acting through the same connections for moving the movablejaw away from the stationary jaw against the action of the last namedmeans, a dial plate mounted over the movable jaw, a plate pivoted overthe stationary jaw, a pointer carried by the pivoted plate, andoperative connections between the movable jaw and the pointer forswingii'ig the latter over the dial plate upon the movement of themovable jaw toward the stationary jaw to compress the ring and cause theends thereof to move together, whereby to indicate the gauge of the ringin contracted size.

7. Agauge for piston rings incltuiing a stationary jaw, a movable jawcoacting therewith, said jaws having mating recessei forming 'aring-receiving seat, means for operating a part for holding the movablejaw normally toward the stationary jaw, means for operating the samepart for moving the movable jaw away from the stationary jaw against theaction of the last named means, a calibrated dial plate mounted upon theone jaw, a pointer pivoted upon the other jaw, means normally holdingthe pointer in an inoperative position with respect to the dial plate, alink having pivotal connection with the pointer and guided in itsmovements, and means carried by the movable jaw to engage the linkwhereby to swing the pointer to indicating position over the dial plate.i

8. A gauge for piston rings comprising in combination with a horizontalsupport, a stationary jaw mounted upon the support, a movable jawpivoted upon the support, said jaws having a ring-receiving seat, arocker arm pivoted on said support and connected with the movable jaw tooperate the same, a weight acting to move said arm one way for holdingthe movable jaw toward the stationary jaw, toot operated means formoving the arm another way to operate the movable jaw away from thestationary jaw, and means actuated by movement of the movable jaw towardthe stationary jaw to indicate the size of the ring held between thejaws.

9. A gauge for piston rings comprising in combination with a horizontalsupport, a stationary aw mounted upon the support, a

movable aw pivoted upon the support, said jaws having a ring-receivingseat, means for closing and opening said jaws by operating said movablejaw, a dial, a pointer pivoted for movement or r the dial, means to holdthe pointer in an inoperative position, an arm operatively connected tothe pointer and means carried by the movable jar: to engage the arm uponmovement of the movable jaw toward the stationary jaw whereby thepointer will be moved into registering position with the dial.

it). in combination, a horizontal support having a slot, coacting jawsmounted upon the support, an arm projecting from one of the jaws andmovable therewith, a shai't pivotally carried by the support and havingan arm projecting through the slot for engagement with the arm of thejaw, pressure exerting means normally acting on the shaft to shift themovable jaw to clamping position, a foot treadle operatively connectedto the shaft to turn the same against the action of the pressureexerting means to shift the movable jaw to an open position, acalibrated dial, a pointer pivotally mounted in termediately at one endand coacting with the dial at the other end, a spring normally holdingthe pointer in an inoperative position, an arm having pivotal connectionwith the pointer mounting and guided in its movements back and forth,and a contact member carried by the arm of the movable jaw to engage thelast named arm to move the pointer into indicating position over thedial.

11. In combination, a horizontal support having a slot, a plate mountedupon the support, a stationary jaw mounted upon the plate, a movable jawpivoted upon the plate and having a slotted arm extending over the slot,said jaws having coacting semi-circular recesses forming a circular seatfor receiving a piston ring or the like, a shaft pivoted beneath thesupport and having an arm engaging the slot of the jaw arm, a weightedarm fixed to the shaft and normally moving the movable jaw toward thestationary jaw to con'ipress a ring held in the seat, another arm fixedto the shaft, a foot treadle connected to the last named arm foroperating the movable jaw with respect to the station ary jaw, means tolimit the movement of the movable arm therefor to thereby limit theclosing of the jaws, a calibrated dial plate mounted on the one jaw, aplate pivoted to the other jaw, a pointer adjustably mounted on theplate, means to move the pointer to an inoperative position uponmovement of the n'iovable jaw away from the stationary jaw, an armpivoted to the plate and extending therefrom, means for guiding the saidarm and an adjustable contact member carried by the jaw arm to engagethe arm pivoted to the plate to cause the dial to indicate the gauge ofthe ring on the dial plate upon release oi? the foot treadle.

12. A gauge for use in testing annular 5 objects such as piston ringscomprising a support, gauging elements mounted on said support providinga recess for the reception of the annular objects, said support havingafinger hole whereby access may be had to said recess from beneath saidsupport to facilitate the removal of the annular objects therefrom, andmeans for indicating the gauge of the objects entered in said recess.GEORGE H.v HIGGINS.

